wanna be with a question about all this

I

IWANT12

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I am new to the idea and REALLY want a 4runner. I am currently looking at several trucks. Here's the question. My dealer told me that the 4Runners need a timing belt service every 80-90 K miles, or every 6 years. How do I know what to look for with these trucks to ensure that they are good buys? Is there anything obvious to look for (maintenance records and so on), the question being, because I am buying out of state sight unseen, beside checking with Toyota, There is really no way to see if the truck was properly maintained before actually getting it into a mechanic to inspect it , right? Which leads me to the second question.

Currently looking at several possibilities:



1996 w/ V6 :3.0L V6 SPFI SOHC @ 109K Miles

EDIT: 3.4L V6 24V MPFI DOHC

Sorry bout that, not sure where that came from...too many Christmas cookies...
2001 SR5 5Spd stick w/ V6 and 175K miles (drove nice)

any years to stay away from?

Just some observations from a newbie with a lot of questions...The dealer I would be taking it to informed me that he can check the service history with Toyota, however if the work is done independently it can't be verified. The timing belt service (90K miles) is about 499-750 dollars plus whatever other things need to be done. e.g.

plugs 318.00??? what?
brakes
All fluids
Possible filters and so on (tires etc)


Without seeing the truck and knowing for sure the service history, if you are interested in buying, see any reason the dealer in question should have a problem with me coming in and having a dealer (Toyota) check it out before delivery? Any other problems to look for? I admit I like the one at 109K miles but I wonder if the service was ever done...and at 120K miles on the other if I need to worry about driving home. These trucks have a solid reputation from what I can see, and the age is also a factor I had not originally considered in my expense calculations... so hope I can land a good one here...Thanks in advance...

:uzi:
 
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Thanks for the information...looks like a lot to learn about. One comment the sales guy made about one of these trucks (a 2000) was just change the oil...guess there is a little more to it than that..they are nice trucks though...can I just ask? Aside from the fact that they get high mileage,when you say they don't know what they have, can you elaborate a bit? Thanks...I am trying to learn and I appreciate all the information...
 
I would definitely spend the money to get either a Toyota dealership or Toyota specialty garage do a full inspection before buying.

Any person who stands behind their truck should't have a problem with it. I really don't believe Toyota owners drive their trucks any better than other brand owners, so yes you have those you beat the complete crap out of their trucks or do not perform regular maintenance so beware.

I would go with the 2001 with the manual transmission.

I have a 94' V6 with a manual, but I live somewhere where stick is a great thing to have in 500' + of snow each winter.
Also manual transmissions last longer and if you know how to operate them correctly you get a bit better gas mileage and its a better control of your truck in a variety of conditions.
it is also 5 years newer which is a plus. do car fax on them if you haven't already.

In my personal opinion 1st-3rd generation 4runners are the best. 4th gen and beyond 4Runner took a turn for the worst and adopted the popular design of automobiles losing its true bumper plus other things. 4th gen and beyond also became very electronically controlled drivetrains and the ability to work on them personally really left the building.

I do think the 1st gen 4Runner is the best in general. They run forever and the ability to take off the top has unlimited potential with soft tops, bikini tops, shortened hard tops, the list goes on.

For the money you can buy a standard non-upgraded 3rd gen you can either buy the most "tits mcgee" 1st ten or you can buy a great rust free and do the upgrades as you want.
Just food for thought if you aren't completely sold on the 3rd ten series.

I only bought my 2nd ten cause i got a awesome deal and its in almost sport less condition.
And I am on the lookout for a 1st gen and will sell my current 94' when I find "the one"
Stay 3rd gen and under though. 4th gen are ugly as hell until 2006 when the wheel wells changed to the rounded type.
Good luck with your search and take your time, rather wait then get stuck with something horrible
 
IWANT12 said:
Thanks for the information...looks like a lot to learn about. One comment the sales guy made about one of these trucks (a 2000) was just change the oil...guess there is a little more to it than that..they are nice trucks though...can I just ask? Aside from the fact that they get high mileage,when you say they don't know what they have, can you elaborate a bit? Thanks...I am trying to learn and I appreciate all the information...
Click to expand...

The 96 v6 is a 3.4 dohc..... only my opinion but a nicer engine than the head gasket issue 3.0 v6 found in earlier 4Runners. That either means they made a mistake with the engine, have a 95 or earlier 4Runner or someone put a 3.0 in a 96.
Just for fun, the earlier 3.4 also had some head gasket issues (96 and 97-ish) but I get the feeling the problem was more widespread in the 3.0.
I have done quite a bit more than 'change the oil' on the 96 with 233,000 miles but most of it's been maintenance or age related stuff.

Anywho, get to reading to get a leg up on 3rd gen 4Runners- 96-02. If you've got some specific questions you'll prolly find the answer there. If you don't someone with some knowledge will pipe up. I've found them easy enough trucks to work on and like them so much for reliability, manual trans, 4x high and low that I've got two, one for me and one for the hubby.
Good luck!
 
By the bye, you don't say what you want in a truck...

People hauler, work, play, do you want/need 4wd, daily driver, off-road and what kind, what are you looking for?
 
habanero said:
By the bye, you don't say what you want in a truck...

People hauler, work, play, do you want/need 4wd, daily driver, off-road and what kind, what are you looking for?
Click to expand...

Welp, It would be a daily hauler for me. I am returning to school and in my locale it would behoove me to have a 4WD when the snow starts to blow. We don't (believe it or not) always get the streets cleared from the white stuff when it falls and it is very interesting how deep ruts can get (and potholes) in the city if they do not plow. Not an issue on the main drags so much but a lot of hassle on the side streets. I have always loved the looks of the four runners and I appreciate the fact that they are so dependable. I actually owned a Rav4 and sold it,:cry:and have wanted to get back into a 4wd. I also am interested in 4wheeling...Please note...I had a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee in my possession Friday (5300 Dineros)...I left the dealer and went to gas 'er up. Upon my departure from the gas station the Check GAGE light was on. Upon further inspection I noticed that the oil pressure was at 0.....0PSI...:rant:

I turned around and went straight back to the dealer. I was fortunate for when I got home in the loaner and did a bit of research I found a whole BUNCH of stuff wrong with the JEEP GC. nuff said. Returned next day to dealer and got money back...Dependability and a rock solid rep count for much in this...and it would be my truck that I have always wanted until I can afford a new one...someday...
 
Any other input?

I guess the distance involved (over 8 hour drive) should not be a factor. If I want I can go look at it myself and see if Toyota can do this inspection thing. The other option may be to have them ship it here (no fun). I really want to just go and pick it up and drive it home. The only thing stopping me is the fact that the truck is kind of an unknown with the service history. I am concerned for two reasons.

1) The milkshake thing. Not sure if I need to worry about it at this point, we are talking a 1996 w/ 109K miles here.

2) The timing belt. No one seems to know about this.

From everything I am reading it seems that these two things would be the major issues coming into the deal. I am thinking if I don't jump on this deal it may be gone but that is not a smart way to handle it either...I may just have to wait...Anyone have a different point of view? Thanks to all for responses BTW..
 
I'm not a different opinion but 'til someone else pipes up I'll answer a couple things....
if you're looking at the 96
Rust- frame and rear dif, rear axle seals (look for tell-tale liquid pattern on inside of wheels, radiating out from drum(s).
The timing belt intervals for the 96 are every 60,000 miles so it should be heading for its 2nd belt change in another 11,0000 miles. Water pump should also be done this next go-round. If no one knows use it for a bargaining chip. The 3.4 is a non-interference engine so no bent valves if it should break before you can get to it, but you'll be stranded.
The antenna may be broken (pretty easy fix) and the charcoal canister box might moo. They don't make the part that used to fix the moo, get used to it unless someone put one on before it was discontinued.
The driver's side left front seat bolt nut tends to break away from the floor.
Brake rotors may be warped.
It seems IF it really has that low of mileage you'd prolly be safe on the milkshake but I don't know, I drive a manual.
Enjoy the in-dash cup holders. :D

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102691-just-couple-questions.html
Another guy's search for a 4Runner with some good questions/answers.
 
Thank you for your reply..I am going to look at a 1995 tomorrow. The guy is driving two hours and I will go two hours to meet him...He has a 95 w/ 141K miles on it...I may do this as the snow was flyin today and I like the price..I hope it works out..will post pics if I do it...
 
Good luck with it. A 95 is a second gen. If it's a v6 it'll be a 3.0. I don't know much about them at all other than the head gasket issues. Seems to be more a 'when' than an 'if'. Saggy butt is something else, and rust, really otherwise 2nd gens are out of my experience. Seems they should be priced a lot lower than I see them for around here.

Sorry you're stuck with mostly me, at least this'll bump yer thread for you. :bigok:
 
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No worries habanero...I went and looked at the 95 today. To his credit he did meet me halfway on a four hour drive. I was able to take it to a dealer (thank God). It was a bit of a mess. There were a lot of issues with this truck, not the least of which was the 4WD does NOT WORK...Ouch. Let's just say that the mechanic showed me a lot and I learned a bunch. They only charged me half for the inspection as the Mechanic could see more wrong in half an hour than I ever would have. He assured me that it was a bad buy. I believe him. There were the CV boots cracked. Wide open to the world. My buddy who went with me assured me that they could cause the wheels to have major issues. The brake lines were rerouted and on and on.

I wonder if this is a bad time to look for a four runner? There was a 4Runner at the local Toyota dealer (one I wont mention right now for personal reasons). They sold a 2002 w/ 170K miles for 6900. I thought it was kinda high but they got it...oh well...live and learn...Thanks for the input habanero ...that's a nice truck BTW...peace...
 
Ah, it's almost never the first one you look at and extra pluses to the mechanic that allowed you a learning experience. After you do this for a little while you'll get good at spotting the ones that are worth a double take so if it does take longer than you'd like think of it as a bunch of chances to become more knowledgeable. You'll also narrow down the years you want to deal with. My 96 sorta popped up right away, the 99 took 3 or 4 months but I knew more about what I wanted by then and was pickier. Mine are both manual trans, should be easier to find what you want in an auto.
I know there are a lot of people that like the 2nd gens and I've seen some really nice looking ones but I'm sticking to the 3rd gen 3.4 '96-'00 personally. Actually, the 99 and 00 have upgrades that would be nice in the older 3rd gens.

Thanks for the truck compliment, I'm kinda fond of the old thing. I like working on my 96 ('cept the oil filter, why there???). It's slowly becoming exactly what I want as funds permit and it hasn't let me down yet.

Another bump for you. :)
 
Hey there, IWANT12--welcome to the 4Runner world! Since you've mentioned 2nd Gen's as a possibility, I'll put my two cents in. I've had three, a '94 and two '95s, and they've been quite good trucks. They all had the 3.0 V6, and if you haven't heard, they have a well-earned reputation for being sorely underpowered. I've only had one with the head gasket issue, so I can't say much there. Overall, they're great little trucks--excellent Toyota drivetrain (if only with more power), great off-road, can carry a decent amount of gear (more with a nice roof rack), size makes them very maneuverable. So-so fuel economy, with a high of 21, but usually no better than 18 hwy (my experience). Many companies have replacement coils to fix the "saggy butt", but a nicer solution is an Old Man Emu 2" lift--reasonably priced, don't need any other modifications, and gives that little edge in ground clearance for wheeling and heavy snow, etc. (high quality stuff, too). Good luck in your search!
 
thanks to your advice I got a truck checked yesterday for 24 dollars (half an hour and split cost with owner). Saved me a LOT of grief...No doubt about it. THANK YOU!
 
Thank You! Am very interested in a 95 with 96K miles. Owner seems willing to have it checked by dealer. I informed him that is the ONLY way I will buy as it is a hassle to go 4 hours only to find grief like yesterday. It is in very good condition but so was truck Yesterday I thought...NOT. Live and learn...I hope this is the one...
 
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